Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, urged senior public servants within his Ministry to support opportunities for individuals to continue their studies in urban planning.
He made the call while speaking at the Town and Country Planning Division’s Planning Fair on Wednesday, where he underscored the importance of ensuring continuity and professional development within the field following a revelation by a university colleague.
“I think she was reminding me that there are no applicants for the urban and regional planning programme, University of the West Indies, for the first time. So it means that there is nobody currently studying to fill your shoes when you are no longer here.”
The Minister further highlighted several proposals that had been presented to him and instructed his executive staff to explore opportunities for collaboration and consider the implementation of relevant initiatives.
“This is not just about new students. It might be that one of you might want to do a Masters or a PhD. And even though I am not so sure, it would have to be the permanent secretaries and the executive team who would have to opine on that, I want to encourage them to look at it and to think how creatively, even if it is we have to give you time off with pay to go and do your studies, I think it is really important for us to encourage persons to continue their development along this pathway.”
The Fair was designed to answer the public’s queries about land development, building regulations and structural adjustments.